Hello Kelly. I noticed that I now have cellulite after giving birth—what do you recommend I do about it? Are there creams or treatments that will erase this?

Cellulite is the bane of our existence. Many women will agree, because most of us have it. Not only is it unsightly (it is that dimpled, lumpy surface on your thighs and buttocks, for those of you who don’t know what it is), it sneakily pops out of nowhere and prevents us from wearing swimsuits, shorts and skirts with confidence. I used to think cellulite affects women of a certain age and weight, until I noticed that I had it—and this was back in my mid-20’s, before I got pregnant! So no, you shouldn’t feel bad that you have it, because it is actually more common than you think (90% of women have it).

So here’s what it is: FAT. The reason why it has that appearance is because the strands of connective tissue that separates fat cells into compartments cause excess fat to bulge out. This usually happens to women when we rapidly gain weight (like during pregnancy), as the said connective tissue form a honeycomb-shaped pattern that pushes out any increase of fat to form dimples. Men don’t get as much cellulite as their fibers run horizontally, forming a crisscross pattern that prevents fat from dimpling.

The bad news is: cellulite only gets worse with age. Those strands of connective tissue actually thicken with age while our skin gets thinner, which makes this lumpy appearance more noticeable. Plus, women lose muscle and gain fat with age, which means we should double our efforts if we have it (especially if you’re over the age of 35) as it will only be harder to minimize as we get older. Fortunately, there are now ways to smoothen out these areas (you’re on the right track asking about anti-cellulite creams and treatments). Read on to find out ways to minimize the appearance of cellulite.

Get deep-tissue massages. This is good news for those of us who love getting massages. Not only is it great for blood circulation, well, apparently it can also help smoothen out cellulite. This works by removing toxins and reducing excessive amounts of fluid in areas that contain cellulite. But while regular massages can help minimize dimply skin, you also have to manage your expectations as this isn’t a quick fix. For me though, getting massages is always a good idea as it is a great way to relax and knead those sore muscles. I suggest using a cellulite cream on your thighs, buttocks and stomach area to effectively target those problem areas. Look for ingredients like niacin or caffeine as these can effectively zap cellulite when massaged into skin.

Exercise. The most effective way to get rid of cellulite is by exercising, especially when its through stretching or weight-training exercises like yoga or Pilates. What happens when we don’t exercise is we end up losing a lot of muscle and it is replaced by fat. This causes cellulite to be more apparent, which, of course, we don’t want. Exercise is a must as engaging the muscles can blow up fat cells and ultimately reduce cellulite. The best exercises you can do are the lunge and the squat (ask your trainer to show you the proper way to do these). There’s no need to carry so much weight when you do this, but it has to be done in sets and repetitions. Or, if you have no time to go to the gym, try taking the stairs and walk more. These everyday choices can make a big difference in the long run, both health wise and to help minimize cellulite.

Invest in top treatment. Another effective way to treat cellulite is through Endermologie, which you can get at Marie France. It is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that reduces and removes fat lumps and unwanted inches from your body. It works by using an advanced roller and suction technology that applies deep action on fatty tissues, naturally disposing cellulite for smoother, tighter skin. I’ve tried this numerous times and have seen significant inch-loss in just a few sessions. Plus, it really diminishes the appearance of dimples and cottage-cheese-like cellulite, which is what we want. You may call 894-2639 (BODY) for a free consultation.

Drink plenty of water. The minimum per day is two quarts of water, which I have to admit, I don’t get to drink everyday. It is definitely good practice though, as it is not only beneficial to our health, but a good way to lose toxins and cleanse the organs. A lot of women lose somewhere between five to eight pounds on their first and second weeks just by drinking water and using Endermologie (this has worked for me). You will go to the bathroom a lot, but in a matter of weeks you will be slimmer, healthier and have a smoother bottom line. If you have a problem drinking enough water, try lemon or cucumber water (these are purifiers and diuretics). One slice of cucumber can flavor a giant pitcher of water, and you can keep adding water to it all day long. Or make your own concoction: put strawberries, rosemary, or mint.